Inventors:
Dennis E. Naas - Woodson Terrace MO
Michael T. Stieff - Wentzville MO
Assignee:
Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO
International Classification:
G01D 2100
Abstract:
Apparatus for determining ride height includes an adapter removably mountable on a wheel of a vehicle while the wheel is mounted on the vehicle, an arm movably mounted with respect to the adapter for movement from a rest position to extended, measuring positions, and distance determining circuitry. The arm has a first end for contacting the vehicle when the arm is extended, contact between the arm and the vehicle halting movement of the arm. The distance traveled by the arm from its rest position to contact with the vehicle is a function of the ride height of the vehicle. The circuitry determines the distance of travel of the arm from its rest position to contact with the vehicle and determines ride height from the distance of travel. The method of determining ride height includes mounting a sensor housing on a wheel of a vehicle while the wheel is mounted on the vehicle, which sensor housing contains at least one sensor for obtaining wheel alignment measurements and defines a path therein. A ride height measuring arm is moved along the path in the sensor housing from a rest position until the measuring arm contacts the vehicle, the distance traveled by the measuring arm from its rest position to contact with the vehicle being a function of the ride height of the vehicle.